today and tomorrow/July 7

Acorn TV
Elaine reminded me of how much I miss Balthazar. I binge watched seasons 1 and 2 and can't wait for season 3 to keep the story going.  She also recommended A Place to Call Home and Seachange.
Acorn has a lot of British, Australian and European shows. 

Norway
One of my favorite travel experiences was a trip to Norway.  I'm emailing the latest articles from The Discoverer to keep us thinking of the world beyond our front door.

When it hits home
I'm profoundly sad today over the loss of a friendship.  A man who I truly enjoyed decided to cut himself off from me because of conflicting political opinions.  We had decided a long time ago to put politics aside.  Not possible now?

today and tomorrow/July 6

Reading is Keeping us Going

Carole sent a beautiful message from Isabel Allende about her thoughts during life with the virus.  I'm emailing.  Melinda recommends Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead.  I just started reading The Biggest Bluff by Mari Konnikova.  It's about how poker can teach us how to make better decisions.
I'm also emailing the latest article from the New York Review of Books.

Bookshelves continue to be the background of choice for the TV talkers.  Would love your reviews or recommendations.

today and tomorrow/July 5

Jaqueline Susann

The Atlantic Lists

I always like to see what the folks at the Atlantic magazine are recommending we read, see, and think about while we're locked up.  Their latest list was of books suggested by their reporters.  I chuckled when I saw that Valley of the Dolls was on the list.  The gal that nominated it said it was good enough for her grandmother and her mother so she was curious.  I say: "Well, okay, why not?"  I'm emailing the list.

Gerry's blog this week deals with depression and some hopeful therapy choices.  I'm emailing.

Natalie and Bill spent a month working on their 1,000 piece puzzle only to discover at the end that there were only 999 pieces!  I'm sure the philosophers among us can comment.  How high on the frustration scale would you register?

today and tomorrow/July 4

2020

Nancy suggested that I post the July 4 speech of Frederick Douglass "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July."  Great idea. I didn't learn enough about him when I was in school.  I am going to have to catch up.

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/what-slave-fourth-july-frederick-douglass/

Grant Park Music Festival

Saturday, July 4, 6:30 on You Tube

It’s one of the most popular concerts in Millennium Park each year—the Grant Park Music Festival’s Independence Day Salute.  Captured one year ago on a spectacular summer’s evening, this Fourth of July favorite is back by popular demand, now as a webcast in the Festival’s 2020 virtual season.

today and tomorrow/July 3

Andersonville Comes Back to Life
Good news! Notices arrived that Women and Children First Bookstore is launching a limited opening.  The Edgewater Historical Society is also coming back. Not so good news: two many people are crowded next to sidewalk diners along Clark Street.  I'm going to limit my outdoor breakfasts or lunches to off-hours and stay away from busy streets.

Julia wants us to notice that minimum wage workers got raises. Remember when fast food giants were able to pay so little by claiming that most of the jobs went to teenagers?  (Like getting an allowance?)  I still can't wrap my mind around having to fight for $15 an hour.

Bill sent an article (I'm emailing) about what Natalie's peers are up to now.  She still doesn't know if school will open this fall for her senior year. 

Are you going to watch Hamilton?

today and tomorrow/July 2

Cranbrook/Kingswood
I'm passing along a notice I received of the re-opening of the educational community where I attended high school.  It is world famous because of its architect Eero Saarinen, and was the home of the "mid-centrury modern" school of design.  Kingswood had a great influence on my idea of style and beauty.

John sends this article from the Washington Post.  The movie Idiocracy came and went in 2006, but is perfect for today. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/30/welcome-united-states-idiocracy/

Daily Stoic

Stoicism seems as good a stance as any in living today.  I get a daily reminder via email.  I'm sending a sample.

today and tomorrow/July 1

Bonnie, Molly and I sat for hours in the shade at the Athena Restaurant in Greektown.  What a treat to get out, sample the delicious food and listen to Bonnie give me her spin on all things political.  And what a spin she delivers!  I'm emailing her latest "Mom, I'm a little Poignant" blog so you can find out for yourself.

Bill’s movie Burnt Orange Heresy was supposed to open in Chicago the weekend that the theaters closed as part of the March lockdown.  When he told me that they’re going to try again in August, I thought: “Okay.  Good luck.  I’ll tell all my friends.  But, we’ll see.”

Bill just sent an article written by his old colleague Tom Brueggmann: What if Moviegoing is No Longer Fun?  Will it be fun to wear a mask for two hours? (How do you eat your popcorn?)  Can they keep the theaters clean enough?  The whole thing is very iffy.

Sony Classics, the distributors, are clinging to the idea of a theatrical release.  Like I said, “We’ll see.”

https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/moviegoing-realities-covid-19-1234569115/